Air quality warnings, burn bans in place as wildfires expand across northwestern Ontario

As wildfire smoke from northwestern Ontario and Manitoba pervades southern parts of the province, the region's wildfires continue to grow.

The area's biggest wildfire is Red Lake 12, which is more than 66,000 hectares large and not yet under control.

The fire prompted the evacuation of Deer Lake First Nation last week, sending hundreds of community members to Toronto. 

"Crews continue to work hoselines on the flanks of the fire closest to the community and maintain sprinkler setups on buildings and infrastructure," Ontario Forest Fires said in its latest update online Thursday night.

Meanwhile, provincial crews are tracking five other fires of note in the region:

• Kenora 20, which is more than 36,000 hectares large and not under control; the fire triggered evacuation orders for Ingolf and Wabaseemoong Independent Nations in mid-May, sending evacuees from the First Nation to Niagara Falls.
• Nipigon 5, which is more than 8,800 hectares large and not under control; the fire prompted the evacuation of Webequie First Nation members this week to Barrie.
• Kenora 32, which is located within Woodland Caribou Provincial Park, is not under control, at more than 7,700 hectares large. 
• Kenora 14, which is under control at over 1,600 hectares large. 
• Kenora 34, which is being held at 18 hectares large.

Chris Marchand, fire information officer with Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services, said the forecast includes the possibility of "some meaningful, widespread rainfall."

"We're really hoping to see some reduction in fire behaviour as a result of that," Marchand said Friday afternoon. "That's probably going to be a somewhat-temporary reprieve, but it is definitely anticipated, and we hope it arrives without a lot of lightning associated with it."

Much of northwestern Ontario remains under a restricted fire zone, first issued in mid-May and then expanded at the end of the month.

"No open air burning, including campfires, is permitted within the boundaries of a restricted fire zone. Portable gas or propane stoves may be used for cooking and warmth but must be handled with extreme caution. All burning permits are suspended," Ontario Forest Fires says on its website.

Other restrictions in place include travel bans, use of waterways, and NOTAMS (notice to airmen) about limited drone usage permitted in the areas of Red Lake 12 and Nipigon 5.

The wildland fire hazard remains high to extreme across the region. As of Thursday night, there were 18 active fires being tracked, at various stages of control.

Marchand said the ongoing dry conditions have allowed fires to "dig deeper into the soil which requires more time and resources to extinguish."

"That's sort of an ongoing concern in terms of how receptive we are to new fires due to lightning."

Dozens of air quality warnings, statements in effect

As of Friday afternoon, several air quality warnings were in effect in the region, for areas including:

• Big Trout Lake — Kasabonika.
• Ear Falls — Perrault Falls — Western Lac Seul.
• Fort Hope — Lansdowne House — Ogoki.
• Kenora — Grassy Narrows — Whitedog.
• Pickle Lake — Cat Lake.
• Pikangikum — Poplar Hill — MacDowell.
• Red Lake — Woodland Caribou Park.
• Sachigo Lake — Bearskin Lake.
• Sandy Lake — Weagamow Lake — Deer Lake.
• Sioux Narrows — Nestor Falls — Morson.
• Summer Beaver — Wunnummin Lake — Kingfisher Lake.
• Webequie.

"Wildfire smoke is expected to shift further north today as winds become southwesterly. Wildfire smoke may remain in place for the next several days for many areas," Environment and Climate Change Canada said in Friday's warnings online.

"People more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke, including people aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition, and people who work outdoors, should avoid strenuous activities outdoors and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms."

Common symptoms include eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough.

People are urged to keep their windows and doors closed as much as possible, and to wear respirator-type masks if they are spending time outdoors.

"Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke. Actions can include using a clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation system and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles," Environment and Climate Change Canada says.

Dozens of communities across the province remain under less severe air quality statements. In northwestern Ontario, these include: 

• Armstrong — Auden — Wabakimi Park.
• Atikokan — Shebandowan — Quetico Park.
• Beardmore — Jellicoe — Macdiarmid.
• City of Thunder Bay.
• Cloud Bay — Dorion.
• Dryden — Vermilion Bay.
• Fort Frances — Emo — Rainy River.
• Geraldton — Longlac — Caramat.
• Gull Bay — Black Sturgeon Lake.
• Ignace — English River.
• Kakabeka Falls — Whitefish Lake — Arrow Lake.
• Manitouwadge — Hornepayne.
• Marathon — Schreiber.
• Nakina — Aroland — Pagwa.
• Nipigon — Rossport.
• Savant Lake — Sturgeon Lake.
• Seine River Village — Mine Centre.
• Sioux Lookout — Eastern Lac Seul.
• Upsala — Raith.
• White River — Dubreuilville.

More details about the impacts of wildfire smoke on people's health can be found on the Government of Canada's website. 

The latest information about wildfire activity in Ontario can be found on the province's interactive fire map.